Merit Badges

In 1911, Boy Scouts were able to earn as many as 57 merit badges. Today, that number has grown to more than 100, with new badges regularly being added in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. Learn more about our Merit Badge programs below. 

Registration Information

Payment must be made at the time of registration—no exceptions. There will be no refunds if you cannot attend the workshop for which you registered. Please read ALL policies below prior to registering. Changing or switching registration dates and/or times is not allowed.

To enroll in a merit badge workshop, please call Elaine Bressman at 972-580-2466. The cost is $15 per Scout.

You will need to provide the following information when calling to make a reservation.
Scout’s name:
Troop number:
Phone number:
E-mail address:

Scouting Heritage Merit Badge Information

Requests to the National Scouting Museum for requirement 4B of the Scouting Heritage merit badge should be directed to Joe Connole by e-mail to Joseph.Connole@Scouting.org, or by mail to 1329 W. Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, Texas 75038. Please include your name, rank, and mailing address. An information packet will be mailed to the address provided. All requests are processed in a timely manner. Please allow three weeks for delivery.

Calendar of Upcoming Merit Badge Workshops

April

May

June

July

Policies

General

A Scout must BE PREPARED. It is the responsibility of the Scout to complete all requirements for any merit badge he chooses to work on. The counselor is only there to provide assistance and additional information to the Scout concerning that merit badge.

All Scouts are expected to have completed the prerequisite requirements on their own. NONE OF THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE TOTALLY NEW. Scouts are provided with all the necessary information via an email to the parents, or other means of communication (worksheets, etc.) prior to the start of the class.

Scouts are expected to participate in all class discussions. Scouts should ask questions, and be ready to answer questions when asked. We reserve the right to call on any Scout to answer questions about the material, even if he does not volunteer.

Should the Scout not do the work to complete a requirement for the merit badge, it is his responsibility to complete it before it will be signed off on by the counselor. While much of the required material is presented during the workshops, that does not count as the Scout having completed it.

Scouts wishing to register for the First Aid merit badge workshop must have current knowledge of all first aid requirements for Tenderfoot Rank, Second Class Rank, and First Class Rank. SORRY NO EXCEPTIONS.

Blue cards

In order to receive credit for a merit badge, students must bring their blue card to all classes and must have completed all requirements. The blue card must be filled out completely by the Scout.  Blue cards must be signed by the Scoutmaster of the Scout’s troop before counselors will sign off on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long do the workshops last?

A. Merit badge workshops vary by class.

Q. Are there charges for additional people to attend?

A. There is no charge for leaders or parents to attend the workshop with their registered child. Additional children attending will be charged the regular rate, but they cannot participate in the workshop.

Q. Do I have to pay to go in the museum?

A. Scouts attending a workshop receive free admission to the museum. Leaders and parents will need to pay admission.

Q. When is the new schedule coming out?

A. We do not announce dates that workshops are going to be released. Workshop instructors are volunteers, and new classes are announced often.

Q. Are all the requirements completed?

A. Requirements completed in merit badge classes vary by class and subject.

Q. Does any work need to be completed outside of the workshops?

A. The Scout must read the merit badge pamphlet before coming to class and bring his signed blue card. Some of the merit badge classes have requirements that must be completed before class begins and/or assigned during sessions.

Q. How many sessions are included in the merit badge workshops?

A. This varies with each merit badge; however, all sessions will be listed on our calendar of events.

Q. Do I have to sit with my son in the workshop?

A. Leaders and parents are invited, but are not required, to sit in the workshop that their son is attending. There is no charge for them to sit in these workshops. They may also sit in the canteen or lobby or pay admission to visit the museum.

Important note:

Merit badges can be both easy and difficult. Some Scouts may not be able to understand the merit badge well enough to complete the requirements for a given badge. Please note that your Scout, regardless of age, may have a difficult time on any given merit badge. Parents, you and you alone are the only ones qualified to determine if your son is capable of completing this merit badge. Please take a moment to read over the requirements of a merit badge before making a reservation.